Acute asthma attack claims former defensive back

In Galen Hall's eyes, Jarvis Williams was the prototypical football player.

Without an ounce of flamboyance or entitlement in his step, Williams was quiet around coaches, always listened to instructions, knew his assignments and exploded on every play during his days as an All-American at Florida from 1984-87.

Williams, a Dolphin for six seasons, died late Tuesday of an acute asthma attack in his hometown of Palatka. He was 45.

"He was just a joy to coach," said Hall, the former Florida coach from 1984-89 and now Penn State's offensive coordinator. "He was a very quiet person who went about his business, but he was one of the toughest people I've been around in his nice, quiet way. He loved contact, was a good athlete and never tried to be an outstanding hero, just a player doing his job."

Williams recorded 16 interceptions during his seven years in the NFL, including his last with the New York Giants. The Dolphins selected Williams in the second round of the 1988 NFL Draft.

But as a Gator is where he truly flourished.

The University of Florida inducted Williams into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 after a career in the defensive backfield that included 45 starts, 239 tackles, 10 interceptions and a first-team All-America selection in 1987. Williams and safety Louis Oliver, also Williams' teammate in Miami, formed one of the country's most celebrated defensive back tandems in the late '80s.

Williams' most memorable moment as a Gator came against Miami in 1986, when his bone-crushing hit on receiver Melvin Bratton forced a fumble on national television.

After three years together at Florida, Oliver and Williams roomed together during away games with the Dolphins. Oliver describes his friend as "super funny," a "great dude" and a "fierce competitor."

"Just shocked and upset —- just totally shocked," Oliver said of his reaction after hearing the news early Wednesday. "As far as I know, he was in good health. Jarvis always stayed in shape. Shooting baskets, working out. ... Just a fun-loving guy, easy to get along with."

Williams was still invested in football, volunteering as an assistant coach at Interlachen High School and catching Jacksonville University home games to watch his son, Jarvis Williams Jr., play fullback for the Dolphins.

Jacksonville coach Kerwin Bell didn't need to see Williams on Saturdays at JU to refresh the memories of his friend. All Bell has to do is think about the smile Williams would flash him during those spring practices in Gainesville before quipping, "You know they don't play walk-ons here," fully realizing Bell's place in the pecking order.

Bell said Williams hardly needed to lift weights because he had such a natural pop to his tackles that "would knock you out." Hall might have considered Williams quiet because he was so competitive and focused on the field, Bell said.

"He was just a small-town guy who loved football and family," Bell said. "He didn't look like the hardest hitter you've ever seen, but he was. He just flat-out had football instincts."

Five years ago, Williams survived a shot to his back outside a club in the Jacksonville area. Police determined that Williams was an innocent bystander in the shooting.

Williams now becomes the second former Gator to die in the last five days after Lamar Abel, a walk-on from the 2008 national title team, passed away because of an apparent seizure.

Oliver will always remember the sacrifices Williams made for others. Williams never minded playing strong safety to allow Oliver to succeed at free safety.